The Press., 1887-08-25

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 us he cherished peculiar regard. We
 had often sapntered by this block, ,-this avenue was favorite walk of his, ,-and he
 had opened his mind quite freely to me,
 but this interest herclosely kept to himself.
 The reason may be guessed ere long.
 Tim had allowed me to pass on in fact,
 the moment he saw her he seemed to for get that any one was with him. A word
 from the fair creature on the threshold re-
 called him to himself, and was introduced
 to her. Tim was anxious to enter, but did not wish to desert me. To please him retraced my steps, and we both went in
 the house. We were ushered into a neat
 little parlor and took seats. I now had an
 opportunity to observe more closely our entertainer. She was by no means unat- tractive in form or manner. I shall at- tempt no description of her person, but simply record the impression she made up- on me, which was that she was just tho style to captivate such an impressible fel- low as Tim.
 After few moments quite lively con versation I excused myself and withdrew, leaving Tim behind. To say that he was perfectly satisfied but states the simple truth. He had found quiet resting place and in most agreeable society.
 A few days after this Tim came into my room, and conversation at once began over this incident. Tim was in good spirits, and laughed heartily over the whole af- fair. I discovered that he was really se- rious in his attachment. He was very earnest to have my opinion of the young woman. What surprised me, however, was to learn that she was not in sympathy with the profession he had chosen, and was not even Q christian, or disposed to be. Moreover, so Tar as he knew, she did not rectprocate his serious interest To me his course, under the circumstances, was foolish in the extreme aud how he could reconcile if with his repeated pro- fession could not understand Indeed, I do not think he considered this aspect of the matter at all To all my reasonings he answered back with q light laugh.
 Time passed on. Work pressed upon me, and had a good excuse for declining all further walks up the avenue. Besides was beginning to find out Tim. In the social and spiritual life of the seminary his character came out more and more, and it soon became evident that somewhere there was something wrong. From the many whisperings on every side and the banter ings Tim received it was plain he was fall ing behind in his class and sinking lower and lower in the estimation of his associ- ates. Through it all he carried his head high indeed that was quite natural He kept his temper well in hand, and was on good terms with all. Thus the seminary year went on to its end. The closing ex- ercises came, and the students scattered. Tim remained in the city. He had one more year. How Tim passed the vacation l never knew; but he fingered about the old hall. He was found often in the socie- ty that moved near it. There were pretty faces and beautiful forms that charmed him and riveted him to the spot With one of these he had become infatuated. During his last year he made many pain ful exhibitions of himself. To me he was the same warm-hearted friend as ever His exhibitions pained me exceedingly. Whatever strength of character he may once have had was leaving him. In the social prayer meeting hs would attempt to pray and break down in uncomfortable tears his remarks were marred in the same way.
 It was we'll known that in his room his studies were neglected He would sit hour after hour lost in revery. Tim's manner was quite pleasing he was affable and cordial to all he was more pitied than respected. Tim's good looks were hurt by some affection of the eyes. This trou- ble grew upon him, and was the excuse for his neglect of study. Tim had a good voice, and was fair reader. He wns easi- ly imposed upon. He could be made to believe anything concerning himself. One evening, in the midst of large social gathering which was held in the parlors of a large church in the city, Tim suddenly appeared in the character of Shakespear- can reader and began to read, to the as- tonishment of all and the amusement of many. This performance went hard against him, although he looked upon it as a compliment. Known to be n friend to him was urged to prevent the exhibi- tion, but was not able to. It was general ly supposed to be the work of some one else ; and we soon discovered that the idea was suggested to him by one of his class mates, whose love of fun was stronger than his respect for the weakness of poor Tim. The day following this unfortunate occurrence Tim came into my room on in- vitation, and the affair was seriously dis cussed. It was quite n while before he could understand the imposition practiced upon him but when he did the poor fel. low was cbagrined enough.
 Long before the term was half out there were q1iet questionings whether Tim would be allowed to graduate.
 He had graduated from a good christian college, and was now in his third and last year in the seminary. In a few weeks he would go forth graduated divinity stu dent, unless the institution refused to take the responsibility. Would the institution stand between him and the churches? The mind of the institution was not known. It was not known that it had taken the mat ter under advisement. Still the students were fast forming judgment against his graduation. To them it was painfully evi- dent Tim was going down, :. and not up, in moral grayitation, and it would never an- swer to send such Q man forth to contend with evil as a minister of righteousness.
 One day, very near the close of the year of student-life, 1t was announced that Tim had gone home. He had left on account of his poor health. That was all we knew about it. The year rolled on to the end, and Tins class graduated but Tim was not in it. He came not back for the clos ing honors. Indeed there were no closing hoiors for him.
 Some two or three years after graduating was on train of cars with many others, " 10 were returning from the annual meeting of one of our oldest and largest societies. There I met gentleman whom had known in Chicago when student. He was better acquainted with Tim than with Uirn had .ls